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The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease (ESCMID) is calling on the healthcare industry to lead by example and implement universal flu vaccination for healthcare workers.

ESCMID is encouraging all health workers to take personal responsibility and get vaccinated this season, particularly those who come into contact with high-risk groups.

Despite free vaccinations for health professionals in many EU countries, it is estimated that only about 30% choose to have the shot despite the carrier risk they present. ESCMID believes that one vital tool to increase the adoption of flu vaccinations among healthcare professionals is to establish hospital-based league tables throughout Europe.

Highlighting the importance of this issue, Prof. Esposito’s study group - the ESCMID Study Group for Vaccines (EVASG) - is currently working alongside other international groups to research health worker flu vaccination initiatives as part of its comprehensive report on vaccine recommendations.

Head of EVASGProfessor Susanna Esposito said: "This year’s flu vaccine is only as good as its uptake. Across Western Europe we have seen varying rates of vaccination among high-risk groups, and we should be looking to raise this further to beyond the 75% coverage mark Europe-wide.

"What is also underreported is that healthcare professionals who regularly come in contact with vulnerable groups are still seeing, even in overall well-performing countries, maximum rates of only around 1/3 of professionals vaccinated. This is simply not enough; we can clearly do more to prevent the spread of influenza and inform about influenza-related complications."

Prof Osterhaus of the European Scientific Working group on Influenza (ESWI) has echoed the calls and suggested that change needs to be twofold on future seasonal influenza outbreaks. Firstly, healthcare professionals need to take a personal responsibility to get themselves vaccinated, especially those working with high-risk groups, as they can easily become viral carriers. But moreover, we need to think about new measures that, while not making vaccination compulsory, do improve its coverage among healthcare professionals.

This year’s vaccine is now available, and ESCMID and ESWI are encouraging more staff – nurses, doctors, GPs, surgeons and even those in community settings – to lead by example and increase the vaccination percentage and provide better protection for patients. The other factor to consider is that a flu vaccine is optimally effective for younger users (aged 20-50), as most healthcare professionals are, so it really is an excellent preventive tool.